Morning turning toward noon in the city center would normally be the start of a busy day.
But now, amidst the flow of residents and slowly returning activity, there was one sight that was… quite contrasting.
Rena stood holding a large magic bag in her hands. This time, Rena really couldn't express her emotions because both her hands were holding the magic bag.
Hmmmmm....
In front of her, Claire stared expressionlessly, squinting her eyes.
Well… what can you do?
Rules are rules.
Hearing that, Rena just stayed silent with a blank face.
Hero Claire, seeing Rena silent, concluded that Rena was sad about what she was holding.
Rena… you don't have to hold that magic bag with both hands.
Hearing that, Rena broke into a wide smile, then held the magic bag with her left hand while clenching her right fist tightly.
So, what's my task, oh Hero Claire!!
I'm ready!!!!
I will take responsibility for my mistake!!
Seeing Rena's sudden change in expression and mood, Hero Claire was a little confused, squinting her eyes, but remained firm.
Your task is only one, Rena: fill that magic bag!!
Rena was confused, wearing a blank stare because she didn't understand the purpose of the magic bag in relation to her role as a knight.
Fill the bag??
Does my task have anything to do with my role as a knight???
Hmm…
Hero Claire heard that, then put on a blank face while squinting.
Rena, didn't you read the rules of this area?
Didn't the Headmaster teach that at her school?
Hearing those words, Rena paused for a moment with deeply furrowed brows, as if thinking hard.
Eh…
Hmm…
I think I forgot… hehe.
Then, before Hero Claire could speak, Rena continued, pulling her sword from the back of her backpack and stabbing it into the city center street—
causing a small crack.
But… I'm sure the Headmaster must have included that in the curriculum, so the teachers would enforce it!!
Hero Claire was not impressed at all. She wore a blank face and thought to herself while squinting.
Well… of course that would be mandatory in any school!!
Still squinting, Hero Claire then tried to smile widely.
Yeah… of course that's right. You really do praise the Headmaster a lot, huh.
So, according to the rules, your task, Rena, is to clean the city center today.
Rena blinked slowly, tucking her right hand into her oversized robe pocket.
…clean?
Hero Claire, seeing Rena confused, squinted and explained.
That's right, clean!!
And don't worry, that magic bag will fill up if you complete your task!!
But… honestly, I don't know how much magic I put into that bag.
The point is, just clean the city center until it's spotless!!
Well then, bye Rena, good luck cleaning!!
Without giving Rena room to protest, Claire turned and left. Suddenly, her large bow appeared in her right hand.
And she left Rena… with the magic bag in her left hand.
Rena watched Hero Claire leave, and for a moment, stared at Claire's bow with sparkling eyes.
Wow… amazing. I hope I can also have a magic sword like that soon!!
Then, with her eyes still sparkling, Rena looked at her sword stuck in the ground beside her. She pulled it out with her right hand and raised it high.
Alright!!! I, Rena, will complete this task!!!
Immediately, Rena put her sword back behind her backpack and raised her cheeks in a smile.
Can't wait to get out and go on an adventure!!!!
B-but!! I mustn't forget my original goal for wanting to go on an adventure!!
With that, Rena quickly—
Picked up paper on the roadside.
Took leftover food lying around.
Collected small items that people often ignored.
Under the morning-turning-to-noon sun, it felt ordinary.
But as time passed—
The sun climbed higher.
The heat began to be felt.
Sweat appeared on her forehead.
People passed by, some glanced—
Then whispered.
Isn't that the problem-solver who just ranked up??
Is she doing another task???
While some others cheered for Rena briefly.
Go, problem-solver! You can do it! You'll definitely rank up again!!
While others didn't care at all.
Then at one point—
Rena sighed a little, her eyes blazing as she clenched her right fist.
Still not enough.
Still not enough!!
I have to pick up more trash!!!
Suddenly, a green light emitted from her body, like before. Rena noticed and furrowed her brows sharply.
Still not enough!!
This is nothing yet.
Then Rena looked at the bag, which was starting to fill.
And then, for some reason, her gaze changed.
Rena began to pay more attention to the details.
Trash piling up in street corners.
Narrow alleys rarely touched.
Areas behind buildings that… seemed forgotten.
If I only stay here…
Rena looked around, clenching her right fist tightly.
…it'll never be enough.
Approaching noon, her movements changed.
She was no longer just serving a punishment.
She started moving faster, more purposefully.
From the city center—
she expanded to other main streets.
From the main streets—
she entered narrow alleys.
People began to watch her for longer.
Meanwhile—
A girl with a bob haircut, wearing an F-rank adventurer badge,
was sweating under the scorching sun,
cleaning an area that was part of her guild duties, while pulling at her sleeve that was starting to loosen.
Phew… being F-rank is hard, huh…
Being an adventurer is really a struggle.
Then, from a distance, the bob-haired girl—still pulling at her sleeve—noticed more trash farther away, while nearby there was also some trash, but not much.
Hah, there's more trash over there!!
At this rate, I'll fill this magic bag easily!!
Yay!!
Suddenly, out of nowhere, someone moved quickly and snatched the trash that should have belonged to the F-rank adventurer. Even the trash nearby was now spotless. And sure enough, it was Rena, the E-rank adventurer!!
Rena, who had snatched it, her eyes sparkling, said briefly.
Sorry, I'll take the trash near you.
Then quickly, Rena went somewhere else.
Shoooh!!!!
Finally, afternoon began to fall.
The sunlight softened, but Rena's body didn't look tired at all.
Her hands were dirty.
Her clothes were dusty.
Her breathing was very light…
But Rena hadn't stopped.
Now, Rena had reached the outskirts of the city—the place where she had almost been caught earlier near the city gate.
But if you looked closely, the outskirts were—
A quieter place.
More forgotten, with more city guards than residents living there.
Then Rena, while walking casually on the outskirts, overheard some city guards gossiping.
Wow!! This is my first time being assigned here. Is it always this quiet?
Yeah, that's how it is… quiet…
This place used to be lived in by men looking for work, but after that strange incident, the men were relocated by the otherworldly heroes to who knows where…
Rena ignored the gossip and focused.
She stared at the area.
Hmm…
…might as well.
With a long breath, she started moving again.
With her right hand, now darkened from trash, she stuffed more garbage into the magic bag without hesitation.
In the distance—
Someone was watching her.
Claire stood on a rooftop, arms crossed, looking toward Rena without being seen. Her robe fluttered in the wind, her cheeks slightly lifted.
Hmm… this kid, Rena… really reminds me of that Headmaster.
Then, with sparkling eyes while trying to squint, Hero Claire said.
Really overdoes it…
I hope I can find you, Anna (Rena's Headmaster).
Rena didn't know she was being watched.
Rena just kept moving—
not because of punishment anymore.
But because Rena… chose to do it.
And without realizing it,
that day—
Rena didn't just clean the city center.
She cleaned the entire city!!